Sociopaths and Bipolar Disorder

Sociopathic disorder is a personality disorder, and bipolar disease is a mood disorder with a strong biological component. Sociopathic behavior can manifest at an early age, while bipolar disease can be brought out by environmental conditions.

Sociopath

• Antisocial personality disorder is the term used for what was previously known as sociopaths or psychopaths. This disorder is characterized by difficulty with authority and symptoms can often be found in individuals under the age of 15.

Sociopath Symptoms

• This disorder is distinguished by a lack of empathy toward others. Characteristics of this disorder include lack of remorse, irresponsible behavior, angry outbursts, irritability and physical aggressiveness. Arrests and negative legal consequences are often a result of this conduct.

Bipolar Disorder

• Formerly known as manic depressive disorder, this disease is characterized by mood swings. Bipolar disorder is usually diagnosed once the manic and depressive episodes begin to interfere with daily functioning.

Bipolar Symptoms

• Symptoms of this disease include an intense feeling of euphoria which can lead to destructive behavior, such as reckless use of drugs or inappropriate spending of money. These feelings are usually followed by depressive episodes.

Sociopathic and Bipolar Disorder

• A study performed by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University recently suggested that a large number of people may have been incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The study finds that the proper diagnoses could be sociopathic or some other type of personality disorder. The conclusion of the study is that bipolar disorder is over-diagnosed.